Media
Media studies are both academic and creative subjects.
Media studies integrate transferable skills into a contemporary curriculum that is highly relevant to the technological and global age in which we live.
Head of Department: Mrs E Dymioti
Media Teacher: Ms J Skidalski
Media Technician: Mr F Tan
Latymer’s reputation in the wider Media Studies community is second to none and considering the strong tradition of success in film and media studies for over 50 years, this is no great surprise. In Media, we aim to develop independent, active and investigative learners whose skill set will enable them to flourish in a digital world, long after they leave Latymer.
We encourage collaboration, practical and interactive skills alongside creative, critical thinking to solve problems and achieve academic success. We promote the development of cultural capital where learners better understand their place in the world, can discuss global events and understand that the media both reflects and influences the world around them.
Our A Level and GCSE courses in Media Studies encourage learners to critically explore historical, contemporary and global media and apply the knowledge and understanding gained to their own media productions. Our pedagogy is underpinned by a commitment to active, investigative learning and to providing a challenging and enriching educational experience for all learners, where individual needs are catered for and the opportunity to develop and achieve their potential is at the heart of everything we do.
Video, print and web production is integral to our courses and our commitment to providing a variety of practical learning opportunities is essential to maintaining high standards at both GCSE and A Level. We invite media professionals into school to work alongside our students and we provide technical training and support. We encourage our learners to follow professional industry standards in their production work – albeit on a micro-level – and this has proven to be key to our outstanding public exam achievements and has cemented Latymer's national reputation as a centre of excellence in Media Studies.
Media Students develop the following skills on our GCSE and A Level Media courses:
- Critical writing and thinking
- Communication
- Creative thinking
- Presentation skills
- Problem-solving
- Team skills
- Confident and creative use of technology
- How to work to an industry-style brief
- How to pitch and idea
- Digital photography
- Layout and design; print and web
- HD video shooting and editing
- Visual FX/CGI
- Studio production and working with audio, video, digital photography and lighting
WHAT WE TEACH AND HOW
The theoretical framework of Media Studies includes the same academic concepts at GCSE and A Level: Media language, Media representations, Media audiences, Media industries, Contexts (social, cultural, political, economic and historical) as well as established media theories and creative media production. We study a range of set media products across nine media forms (television, radio, newspapers, magazines, advertising and marketing, video games, music video, film and online, social and participatory media).
Media form | GCSE set products | A Level set products |
---|---|---|
Television | Sitcoms | Stranger Things Deutschland 83 |
Radio | The Archers | The Radio One Breakfast Show |
Newspapers |
The Guardian |
The Guardian The Telegraph The Daily Mirror The Daily Mail |
Magazines | Pride GQ |
The Big Issue |
Advertising and marketing | This Girl Can Quality Street |
Jungle Book trailer and poster |
Video games | Fortnite | Minecraft |
Music Video |
Bad Blood, Taylor Swift |
Billie Jean, Michael Jackson Million Reasons, Lady Gaga Heaven, Emeli Sande Titanium, David Guetta |
Film | No Time to Die | Jungle Book 1967 and 2016 |
Online, social and participatory media | A varied selection from each the previous media forms | A varied selection from each of the previous media forms |
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
There are opportunities to get involved outside the curriculum too, as members of the ‘Latymer Media Family’ including joining the Sixth Form Film Society; becoming a member of the school’s Video Crew; mentoring younger pupils; opportunities to build up contacts in the industry; help with work experience placements and the chance to enter your production work into national and regional competitions. Several of our students over the years have won competitions, have been selected for prestigious awards, bursaries and training placements through film festivals, BAFTA, the BFI and the National Film and Television School.
DESTINATIONS
Our students achieve exceptional success when applying to the top university media schools in the country - these include Bournemouth, Leeds, York, Westminster and Falmouth. When Latymer Media students graduate with a degree in film, television or journalism for example, they are equipped to compete for the best entry level jobs in the industry. A significant number of Latymer alumni now work in top media establishments in the UK and abroad and we have a strong network of support within the industry from alumni who go on to employ our graduates.